This month we chose 3 books geared for the middle school readers.
I Funny: A Middle School Story
by James Patterson, Chris Grabenstein, Laura Park
The main character is Jamie Grimm, he is a middle schooler on a mission: to become the world’s greatest standup comedian. He’s moved to a new in town and living with his aunt, uncle, and their evil son Stevie, a bully who doesn’t let Jamie’s wheelchair stop him from messing with Jamie as much as possible. But Jamie doesn’t let his situation get him down. The story is a great read.
Fish in a Tree
by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
This story talks about dyslexia. The main character is Ally, she has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. She has been to many new schools and each time, she is able to hide her inability to read by creating clever yet disruptive distractions. She is afraid to ask for help; after all, how can you cure dumb? However, her newest teacher Mr. Daniels sees the bright, creative kid underneath the trouble maker. With his help, Ally learns not to be so hard on herself and that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of.
Mockingbird
by Kathryn Erskine
This story talks about Aspergers. The main character is Caitlin, she has Asperger’s. The world according to her is black and white; anything in between is confusing. Before, when things got confusing, Caitlin went to her older brother, Devon, for help. But Devon was killed in a school shooting, and Caitlin’s dad is so distraught that he is just not helpful. Caitlin wants everything to go back to the way things were, but she doesn’t know how to do that. Then she comes across the word closure–and she realizes this is what she needs. And in her search for it, Caitlin discovers that the world may not be so black and white after all.